Mila nodded.
“What about your mother?” Maddox said. “Aren’t you afraid your aunt will tell her?”
Mila smirked. “She’s my father’s sister and hasn’t talked to my mother in ages.”
Somehow, that was disappointing. It was also disconcerting. Did her aunt know everything? Or just that Mila worked for him?
“I suppose that means you trust her too,” he said.
Mila side-eyed him but didn’t comment. That also bothered him.
The dinner was hosted by a couple who were friends of the family and had known Maddox since he was a child. They seemed surprised to see Mila, which he expected. Even when he was technically dating, Maddox kept the women at a safe distance from anything personal.
This was more personal than business, and Mila had been right. He could have gone himself. But he couldn’t resist taking advantage of her situation. And truthfully, no one at this dinner would gossip about them.
Mila was great as she always was at events. Though he could tell she genuinely seemed interested in the company this time.
If anyone wanted to ask what was going on, they were waiting until they could ask Maddox alone.
When they left, Mila had already made friends with them, and he overheard Anne invite Mila and her aunt over. Maybe he’d made a mistake bringing her especially when it was unnecessary, but he was relieved to see how she fit in with them so easily.
“I don’t know why you needed me tonight,” Mila told him on the drive home. “You’re friends with them. It’s not like you had to fill a seat.”
It was a good point. But he knew Mila was with him and not someone else and that was a relief too.
When he pulled alongside her house, Maddox hurried out and opened her door, then walked her to the house.
Mila started to put her key in but paused. “You don’t have to wait for me.”
Maddox rocked on his heels. “I might be a slimeball, but I can be a gentleman.”
Mila frowned and leaned into one hip. “For the record, I never called you that.”
“I bet you thought it though.” He slid his hands into his pockets, feeling sheepish again like he did that morning when she slammed his door.
Mila met his eyes. “Actually, I haven’t.”
“I have trouble believing that.” Deep down, he knew it was deserved even if it was hard to accept.
“Well, it’s true.” Her big, almond-shaped eyes were sincere. She focused back on the door. “I guess my mother will call to tell me she heard about this later.”
“I doubt it.” Maddox gazed off down the street. The neighborhood was decent at least even if some of the houses could use a little TLC. “They’re not gossipers. It’s partly why we’re friends.”
Mila’s nose scrunched up dubiously.
“I’m serious,” he said. “If your mother hears about this dinner, I’ll pay you double the overtime as my assistant.”
She studied him. “I’ll hold you to it.”
“I have no doubt.”
After holding his gaze, Mila took a breath. “Then why did you demand I go with you?”
For a moment, he was speechless. He knew inside there was no valid reason to bring her. At least nothing he would admit. “You keep provoking me, so I have to do something.”
Mila made a face but left his answer alone. “Anyway, I have an early start tomorrow.” She turned the doorknob, but Maddox grabbed her arm. “What?” she said in alarm, glancing from his hand to his face.
He had no explanation for why he did that. He just didn’t want to let her go yet. He could have kissed her, and he might have wanted to. But that would be even harder to explain away when no one was watching.
“Don’t be late,” he blurted out.
Mila’s lips compressed and she tugged her arm free. “Goodnight,” she said emphatically and disappeared inside.
Instead of immediately leaving, he stood there stupidly for several seconds before finally strolling to his car and driving away. Then, he took his time driving home. Somewhere in his mind, he wondered what was wrong with him. But he was more consumed with other thoughts. Like how he genuinely wanted to be with Mila that night. Or that’s how it felt. This wasn’t typical. And he had no idea how to deal with it.